Project description

MEDES was approached by an NGO (LIGI) to establish solutions in Haiti for syndromic surveillance in schools for early health warnings.

This system allows both treatment of cases and detection of the source of a possible epidemic outbreak.

Data is collected using a dedicated smartphone application, communicated by text messages, which ensures greater ease of use. However, data can also be submitted by manually writing text messages from any phone, including satellite phones.

GIS webDeveloping this epidemiological surveillance system has enabled:

Cases to be detected based on geolocated syndromic data collection,

Information to be transmitted in real time to the relevant health system or healthcare professional, in order to make a suspected diagnosis or to request additional information,

Prompt and relevant action to be taken based on the information received.

The system was created using the Imogene development solution, and was adapted to the specific needs of the project.

Development and deployment were finalised in late 2011. In 2012, about 5000 cases were reported via the 11 terminals (smartphones and satellite phones) deployed in the field.

This project in Haiti was a pilot, but long-term installation of the solution is being studied.